Magnetic separator and method of separating materials



F. H. CLUTE Oct. 31, 1961 MAGNETIC SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF SEPARATINGMATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. l2. 1957 Oct. 31, 1961 F. H.CLU-rE 3,006,472

MAGNETIC SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF' SEPARATINC MATERIALS Filed NOV. 12.1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TOR. www ff am@ United States PatentO3,006,472 MAGNETIC SEPARATOR AND METHOD F SEPARATING MATERIALS FrancisH. Clute, Rocky Ford, Colo., assignor to The Clute Corporation, RockyFord, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Filed Nov. 12, 1957, Ser. No.695,744 7 Claims. (Cl. 209-214) 3,006,472 Patented y Oct. 31, 1961 ICCscribed, are widely used where it is desired to cause a temporary forceaction, it will become apparent as this speciicationprogresses, that Ihave employed these instrumentalities in a novel manner and combined thesame with structural components, as well as with certain fundamentalprinciples in a way to produce new and advan- ,tageous results. l

In light of the foregoing, it now becomes apparent that it is notintended that the instant invention be limited to the removal ofmetallic substances from materials, but contemplates removal of anymagnetic substance, for example, seeds, wherein it is desired to presentan end product that is free of all foreign matter including those seedswhich have for some reason or other, lost all or substantially all, oftheir germinating characteristics.

The invention is also capable of being logically extended into the colorspectrums when the latter is studied obbroad sense, highly developed. Inthe processes heres tofore known by me, the more valuable minerals areseparated from the waste material and from each other by the use ofmagnets and in the usual type of segregator, it becomes an easy matterto separate the non-magnetic from the magnetic, and the weakly magneticfrom the strongly magnetic by weakening or strengthening the magneticfield.

While such broad principles are employed in part in the apparatusforming the subject matter of the instant invention and in carrying outthe novel method hereinafter described, no satisfactory means hasheretofore been developed for conveying the materials through themagnetic elds, nor has any suitable means been suggested for quickly andeasily directing the separated substances to points of use or packaging.In conventional ore separators, -a belt conveyor is employed to carrythe ores below a magnet and the latter in turn raises the magnetic oreto another belt at right angles to the rst.

It has been found that when apparatus of the aforementioned nature isemployed in the art of magnetic segregation, such belts, revolvingwheels or other contrivances, fail to effect proper separation becauseof inherent defects including not only the adverse results emanatingfrom the existence of static electricity, but tendency of the materialsto channel and, therefore, not be adequately and fully attracted towardthe source of magnetic energy as is desired.

Accordingly, while magnetic separators have obviously been widely usedin separating iron from matters, such as iron filings from those ofbrass; scraps of nails or wire from wheat, etc.; and iron particles fromore in powder, there has, to my knowledge, never heretofore Abeendeveloped a satisfactory apparatus or method c-apable of segregatingsubstances other than the metallics which are clear-ly capable of beingattracted by a magnetic body.

The instant invention finds its basis in the early comprehensiveclassification of all substances into magnetics and diamagnetics,coupled with the growth of scientific investigations since that time andthe present state of knowledge regarding magnetism. Therefore, the termmagnetic substances as herein used is intended to include any and allsubstances susceptible to the action of a magnetic body, c g. one havingthe ability to exert a force on such substances.

In this connection, it has long since been recognized that nearly allmaterials have an inherent ionization and that all substances may bedivided into two general classes, namely, conductors and non-conductors.Furthermore, while electromagnets such as those employed in the instantinvention and hereinafter more fully derratus of the instant invention,but the novel method therejectively from the viewpoint of a wavephenomenon. To the physicist, all visible and invisible emanations areregarded as electromagnetic waves dilfering essentially in wave lengthalone. 'With that in mind, it is manifest that substances havingcharacteristics which cause the same Vto produce emanations of diferingwave lengths and distinguishable for the most part only -by differencesin color, may be separated through use of the instant invention.

With the above basic understanding of the eld to which the instantinvention relates and the intended scope thereof, it is now clear thatthe most important object of the present invention is to provide forbetter handling of the materials containing theV magnetic substances tobe removed therefrom, and for improved means of handling the substancesthemselves after removal and vwhen it is desired to direct the same to apoint remote from the magnetic field and the materials initiallyhandled.

Another important object of the present invention is "to provide animproved magnetic separator that makes use of an air stream for movingthe materials through a magnetic field to thereby not only eliminate theinherent diculties above referred to with respect to static charges, butto constantly agitate or disperse the materials through the magneticfield many times during the conveying operation to the end lthat all, orvirtually all, of the substances which are to be recovered are, in fact,separated and not permitted to leave the magnetic iield with the bulk ofthe materials being handled. v

Another importantjobject of the present invention is to provideapparatus capable of carrying out the method of the instant inventionwhich contemplates the temporarycreation of a magnetic field so as toattract the desired substances from the materials, collect the same andultimately discharge the substances all automatically as the field isalternately created and Vdissipated or eliminated.

A further object of the present invention is to combine theelectromagnetic principles above set forth and the air stream means ofmaterial conveyance with a gravity discharge of the removed substancesin a direction opposite to, as well as laterally from, the direction ofascetn of -the material in the air stream itself.

A still further important object of the present invention is to employall of the principles yabove set forth in a manner to permit grading,i.e., separate removal of substances from the material dilferingVmagnetically, all

though yemployment of spaced, magnetic i'ields extending into the airvstream and having diifering intensities, or extent of attraction. Y Manyadditional objects relating not only to the appaof bermade clear orbecome apparent as the following specification progresses, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary," vertical, cross-sectional view showing amagnetic separator made according to one form of the instant inventionand capable of separating materials pursuant tothe method contemplatedthereby.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken o line II--III ofFig. 1.

l FIG. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical componentsof the separator.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a modified form of magnetic separatorcapable of carrying out the aforementioned method.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken at right angles toFIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevational view partially broken away and insection showing another embodiment of the instant invention.

vIn FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings there is sho'Wnra magnetic separator thatincludes tubular structure consisting essentially of an kair flow tube10, vertically disposed and provided with an air inlet opening 12 `irldirect communication with the atmosphere and conveniently disposed at,or forming the lowermost open end of tube 10.

As depicted in FIG. l, the opposite end of tube 10 is coupled with anysuitable source of suction not shown, and, thereore, when material to beseparated is introduced into the tube 1'0, it will obviously flowvertically toward the source of suction with the air 'stream and underinfluence thereof. To this end there is shown in FIG. l, an inlet hopper14 communicating with the tube 10 above the open end 12 thereof, forreceiving the material 16 that is directed into hopper 14 by a conduitor the like 18.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 3 there is provided a pair of opposedchambers 20 and 22 alongside the tube 10 and communicating therewith byvirtue rof openings 24 and 26 respectively, formed in tube 10. Thechambers 20 and 22 are elongated in this .embodiment of the inventionand disposed in parallelism with the tube 10. They are presented by useof arcuate pipelike attachments lor extensions 28 and 30 respectively,rigidly secured to the outer face of `tube 10 as by welding. The upperends of the extensions 28 are provided with closures 32 joining withtube 1.0, but each extension 28 and '30 is provided with a laterally anddownwardly eX-' tending outlet spout 34 at its 'lowermost end. lt is tobe preferred that the bottom wall 36 of each spout `34, extend inwardlyinto the tube 10 presenting bailes 38 'tending to deflect the `upwardlyflowing material 16 inwardly toward the axis of the tube 10, Vtherebypreventing the material 16 from entering the chambers 20 and 22 by theforce Vof the lair stream itself.

Each spout 34 is provided Vwith a vertically s-Wingable gate '40 that isnormally held closed by force of gravity Vor other yieldable meansoperably connected therewith.

Opposedmagnetic Iiields within'charnbers l20 and 2'2 a-nd extending intoythe air stream within ltube 10, are created preferably through use ofdevices 42 'and 44 capable -of transforming electric energy intomagnetic ener-gy. lElectromagne'tic "devices 42 and y44 include cores 46V'of Vsoft 'iron or the like in the usual manner, in .engagement at theends thereof Awith elongated bars 48 'suitably attached ftecorresponding extensions 28 and 301therewithin-of :any desiredconguration such as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Manifestly, the bars 48 are made from magnetic material capable ofattracting magnetic substances 50 thereto when the separator Vis placedin use. Electromagnets 42 kand y44 'include additionally, conventional`windings 52 operably coupled in the comparatively low voltage circuitshown by FIG. 3 with primary lines 54 and 56 Vthat are Vin turn coupledwith va source of electric energy not shown. Obviously, conventionalmagnetic wire,'provided vwith a Vrelatively thin insulating cover, maybeemployed in producing the coils 52 and the power or pull of the'electromagnets 42 'and 44 will depend upon the current in amperes, aswell as the number of turns (ampere turns) which produce the magneticlines of force. It is recognized in the instant invention that areduction of current requires a greater number of turns and that with axed conductor size, the aforementioned insulation of the conductors hasmuch to do with the winding space required for each electromagnet. Thewinding space will vary iu accordance with the ltype and amount ofinsulation necessary to provide adequate protection in the over-all-assem-v bly of the separator. Manifestly, by increasing the strength ofthe current and the number of turns of wire forming a part of the coils52, the strength of the magnetic eld may be increased and with suchknowledge the vstrength may be readily computed.

There is also illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, one type ofarrangement that may be employed to alternately energize and ie-energizethe magnets 42 and 44. It includes switch means 58 and 60 within thecircuits for Vmagnets 42 and 44 respectively, and having a rotatable camof the like 62 located therebetween and driven by a prime mover 64 thatis likewise operably coupled with the lines 5-4 and S6. Upon closing themaster switch means 66 to energize the electric motor 64 and close thecircuits for the magnets 42 and 44, the cam means 62 will be placed intocontinuous operation and as node 68 of cam means 62 alternately engagesthe switches 58 and 60, the circuits for the magnets 42 and 44 will bealternately de-energized. Although, as shown in FIG. 3, both magnets 42and '44 are normally energized and the circuits therefor are onlymomentarily de-energized during continuous rotation of the cam means 62,nodal means 68 may be formed in such manner as to at all times maintainone ofthe magnets de-energized during the alternate energization andde-energization of the two circuits. This fact is mentioned because itis contemplated that either `of the magnetic fields shall be ofsulicient intensity to remove all of the magnetic substances 50 from thematerial 16 that are capable of being attracted from the air stream whena field of predetermined intensity is created.

`In operation, therefore, material 16 is continuously fed into the tube10 and is carried upwardly in the'air stream to traverse the magneticfield or fields as the case may be. MagneticV substances will move intoIthe chambers 20 and 22 when both magnets y42 and `44 are energized byvirtue of the attractive power of the magnetized bars 48 and suchsubstances 50 will collect on the inner faces of the bodies 48 as theremainder of the material continues to rise and flow toward the sourceof suction.

Air is normally prevented from entering the tube 1-0 via spouts 34 sincethe gates 40 are normally closed. However, when the magnets 42 and 44are .de-energized to demagnetize the bodies 48 and thereby eliminate thefields, the substances 50 will fall by gravity into the correspondingspouts 34 and ultimately discharge therefrom as Vthe weight of thesubstances 50 swing gates 40 to the open position.

Manifestly, the time factor, ie., the time necessary for :bodies l48 tobecome demagnetized, thereby releasing the substances 50, `and the timethat is required for the substances 50 to gravitate through spouts 34,will govern the lnature of the node V68 and, therefore, the length oftime that either .of the switches y58 or `60 is held open thereby. It isfor this reason that it is hereinabove pointed out that it may -be moredesirable to only energize lone of the magnets ata time and to provide aeld intensity such as to not require energization of both magnets inorder to remove all of the substances V50 from the material 16. `On'theother hand, there is an advantage in'using opposed tields operating inopposite directions in order to assure complete removal of suchVsubstances 50 as may be desired.

In connection Vwith Vall of the above, it is to 'be noted that there isvirtually Va complete absence `of static electricity, since the movementof the material is directly away from the earth and does not thereforeV-sev'er as many lines of magnetic force with as much VelQGty, but

such that may exist will have no adverse effect upon the attractivepower of the two magnets which are rendered temporarily magnetic by thepassage of a current of electricity through the coils of wire 52surrounding cores 46. Furthermore, when an air stream is created withina circular tube such as hereinabove described, there is an inherenttendency to whirl or continuously disperse all of the substances 50through the materials 16 during the ascent in tube 10. Such action ofseparating the substances 50 within the air stream enhances the actionof the fields and permits the same to prevent loss of the substances 50by passage from the fields to the source of suction.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated one way in whichthe principles of the instant invention may be incorporated in amaterial separator in the nature of that disclosed and claimed in myU.S. Letters Patent No. 2,808,151, dated October 1, 1957, suchdisclosure being incorporated herein by reference for a betterunderstanding of the way in which the magnetic separating means of theinstant invention cooperates with the air separating principles of saidpatent.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings the numeral 100 designates broadly theseparator of said patent having three passages therein for flow of airupwardly from inlet V102 as described in said patent. Conduit 104 isemployed to direct materials into hopper 106 and, therefore, into thevertically moving air stream precisely as contemplated in FIG. l. Spouts108 and associated gates 110, may be identical in form and purpose toSpouts 34 and gates 40 illustrated in FIG. l. The cyclonic actiondeveloped in the suction leg causes each particle to separate from everyother particle and therefore prepares the material for magneticseparation, overcoming the disadvantages found in belts, revolvingwheels, etc., wherein the material to be separated tends to channel.

At the lowermost end of the separator 100, there is provided a pair ofmagnetizable bars or bodies 112 disposed one on each side of the airstream within chambers 114 and 116. Manifestly, electromagnetic means(not shown) is employed for each bar 112 respectively in engagementtherewith in a manner similar to FIG. l.

The voperation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is, therefore,essentially the same as above described with respect to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, during ascent of thematerial, substances will be removed therefrom by the magneticattraction of bars 1112 and when the latter are demagnetized, suchmagnetic substances collected on the bars 112 will gravitate to thespouts 108.

However, it is to be noted that further separation is made within theseparator 100 in accordance with differences in specific gravities astaught by my aforementioned patent. Therefore, with a given amount ofmaterial flowing into the combined magnetic and air separator shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a rather large number of substances differingmagnetically, as well as by weight, may be separated and graded,presenting products having various uses all depending upon the field towhich the invention is to be adapted.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings I have shown how either the separator 10 or100 might be still further modified to extend the uses and eicienciesthereof so far as grading is concerned.

Air ow tube 200 is vertically disposed as in the case of FIG. l, airemanating from the atmosphere entering via inlet 202 and travelingtoward `a source of suction now shown. Here again, the material to beseparated may be fed into hopper 204 in any suitable manner.

Two or more magnetic separating assemblies broad-ly designated'by thenumerals 206 and 208, may be provided for the tube 200 and spacedvertically therealong. Since the assemblies 206 and 208 are identical,only one will be described. A plurality of vertically disposed,elongated, magnetizable bars or bodies 210 are arranged 6 in surroundingrelationship tothe tube 200, preferably equally spaced, and, therefore,since four of such bars 210 are provided for each assembly 206 and 208respectively, air spacing may be Bach bar 210 is magnetized throughemployment of one or more electromagnets 212 for each bar 210respectively, substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Each bar 210 is disposedwithin a corresponding chamber 214 for creating a magnetic fieldtherewithin which extends into the air stream of tube 200. Similarly,each bar 210 has an associated outlet spout 216 having a normally closedgate 218 precisely as previously described.

One or more electric circuits similar in nature to that shown in FIG. 3,may be provided to energize the elec tromagnets 212 and means providedtherein for alternate magnetization of associated bars 210 and periodicelimination of their magnetic fields.

In this connection it may be desirable in each unit 206 `and 208respectively, to first magnetize one pair of opposed bars 210 andthereupon demagnetize the same while the other diametrically opposedpairV of bars 210 are magnetized.

In any event, the purpose of providing a series of the assemblies 206and 208 is to permit the creation of magnetic fields of differingstrengths or intensities which may, if desired, become progressivelystronger as the uppermost of the series of assemblies is approached.

Thus, electromagnets 212 for the assembly 208 may be chosen so as toproduce a relatively low intensity magnetic field so as to remove oneclass 'of magnetic substances. The next succeeding unit 206 thereabovewill be capable of producing a magnetic field of higher intensity sothat the substances removed therefrom differ from those removed by eachof the fields in the unit 208. In all other respects the separator shownin FIG. 6 may operate essentially the same `as the embodimentspreviously described.

Another important feature of the instant invention has to do With theway in which the process of separation above described tends to dry thematerials because of the movement thereof within air a-t a reducedpressure. Manifestly, this aids in the preparation of the material forproper and satisfactory separation Again with respect to node 68 shownin FIG. 3 of the drawing, many forms and types thereof may be selectedto suit the desires of the operator, for example, both circuits may beenergized for of the cycle of rotation of element 62 and deenergized for175 of rotation thereof. It may be desirable in many applications toenergize both circuits for a predetermined period of time and thereuponduring the remainder of the cycle to energize the two circuitsalternately. These suggested modifications of the invention and otherscome Within the spirit thereof and it is therefore desired to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of separating from granular' materials, substancescontained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by amagnet, said method comprising the steps of magnetizing a plurality ofspaced magnetic cores, the intensities of the magnetic forces in themagnetic fields produced by the magnetic cores being different; feedingsaid materials into an air stream; directing said materials through saidfields in successive order and along a path of travel remote 'om thecores to pull the substances out of said path of travel; demagnetizingsaid cores to eliminate thel fields; and directing the substancesattracted by the cores to separate points remote from the fields andremote from said path of travel.

2. The method of separating from granular materials, substancescontained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by amagnet, said method comprising the steps of producing a verticallyrising air stream; feeding said materials into the air stream formovement thereby; magnetically attracting said ascending substances outof .the air stream and .collecting the same on opposed, upright surfacesremote from said air stream; and altere nately releasing said substancesrst .from One surface and then vfrom the other surface .forgravitational flow from said surfaces to points remote from the airstream.

3. The method of separating from granular materials, substancescontained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by amagnet, said method comprising the steps .of producing a verticallyrising air stream; ,feeding .Saidrmaterials into-the air stream formovement thereby'; magnetically attracting certain of said ascendingsubstances out of the air stream land collecting the same on a firstpair of opposed, upright surfaces remote from said air stream;magnetically attracting additional ascending' substances of differingAmagnetic .c'haracterisitcs out of the air stream and collecting .thesame on a second pair of opposed upright surfaces disposed above saidtirst pair of surfaces and .remote from said air stream; and releasingsaid substances for gravitational flow from said surfaces t0 yseparatepoints remote frem the surfaces and the air stream.

4. Apparatus for separating from granular materials, substancesvcontained therein and possessing the property of being attracted by amagnet, said apparatus comprising a magnetic core; means for producingan air stream, means for feeding said materials into said air stream;means for directing said materials through the magnetic .lield producedby said core and .along a path of travel remote from said .core wherebysaid substances are attracted by said core and move out of said airstream into .engagement with said core; means for demagnetizing saidcore to eliminate the field; and means for directing the substancesattracted by the core along a course remote from the path o-f travel -toa point remote from the field.

5. Apparatus for separating from granular materials, substancescontained therein and possessing the property -of being attracted by amagnet, said apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced magnet-ic cores,the intensities of -tne magnetic `forces in the magnetic tields producedby the .cores being different; means for producing an .air stream; meansfor feeding said materials into said air stream;

means for directing said materials'through .said .fields in successiveorder and .along a path of travel remote .from the fcores; means .fordemagnetizing said cores to eliminate the fields; aud means fordirecting 'tbe substances attracted .by the cores to separate points.remote :from the fields 6- Apparatus .for separating from granularmaterials, substances ycomallied .therein and possessing .the Propertyof being attracted by a magnet, Said apparatus comprisingmbularstruct-ure adapted .to receive a vertically rising .air stream;.means .tor feeding said materials into said structure for movement bysaid .air stream; an upright surface adjacent said .structurecxteriorly' thereof vand remote from said air stream; electromagneticmeans disposed to mag,- netically attract said .ascending substances outof tbe air stream .and .collect the same on said upright surface as saidair stream continues to use; and means for dcenersizing saidelectromagnetic means .to release said substances .for gravitational.llow .along a course ,remote from tbe .air stream to a point .remotetrom .said surface 7.. Apparatus V.for separating from granularmaterials, substances contained therein yand possessing the property ofbeing attracted by a magnet, .said apparatus comprising an upright .tubeadapted to receive .an .air stream; means for directing said materialsint o the tube for ascent therethrough under the inllucnce .of the torce.of .said Vair stream; structure presenting a chamber laterally `remotefrom said air stream communicating With the tube; an upright.mag-uetizable member in said chambersrelectromagnetic means formagnetizing said member to create a magnetic tield extending .into theair stream; .and means for .deeeting said l aseending substances to apoint remote from the lair stream upon deenergization .of Said electro.-magnctic means .and consequent .release of substances col.- .leeted on.said ,member for gravitational llow therefrom.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,012,488 Wedge Dec. 1-9, 1911 1,491,600 Fernow Apr. 22, 1924 1,729,095Crist Sept. 24, 1929 2,471,078 yOgorzaly May 24. 19.49

